Superstar mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) produced one of the most remarkable victories ever witnessed when winning today’s A$ 4 835 000 Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.
In a sight never before seen on an Australian racetrack, Pride Of Jenni led by up to an incredible 60 lengths – or 150m – mid race to the gasps of the big Randwick crowd and punters watching around the world.
With jockey Declan Bates judging the ride superbly in front, she kept running sub-12sec every 200m sectional split and by the 400m it was obvious her rivals were racing for second.
Declan Bates salutes a remarkable win by Pride Of Jenni at Randwick (Pic – Inglis)
And in even more incredible scenes, the 6YO mare didn’t capitulate, never looking in doubt, easing down for a 6.5 length victory.
Racenet reported that Racing NSW stewards did question rival jockeys about their tactics, particularly Craig Williams on Mr Brightside, for not chasing after Pride Of Jenni sooner.
The irony is, if Pride Of Jenni was run down late, Bates would have been fronting stewards for going too fast – that was the fine line he rode.
The win was the seventh of Pride Of Jenni’s 29-start career – and third at Gr1 level – and took her career earnings to A$8.6 million.
Pride Of Jenni is raced by Cape Schanck Stud’s Tony and Lynn Ottobre and their family, who purchased her for $100,000 at the Classic Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Segenhoe Stud.
She is bred by Brent and Cherry Taylor of Trelawney Stud and the Taylor Family Trust.
Enjoy the replay here:
“That was unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m, um, I’ve just got no words for what she just did. It’s incredible,’’ a stunned Tony Ottobre said.
“I mean, what a horse. Unbelievable. I’ve got nothing else to say, honestly. She’s never led quite like that before but you should have seen how she looked.
“Today she looked the best she’s ever looked, and that’s saying something in itself. We couldn’t believe it.
“Ciaron Maher is unbelievable, I can’t explain how he’s done what he’s done but he’s done a fantastic job.’’
Maher admitted he had never seen anything like Pride Of Jenni’s performance today.
“That’s the biggest win I’ve ever seen, let alone had anything to do with,’’ Maher said.
“Unbelievable. What did we just witness?
“To do what she just did – lead by what, 40 lengths? In not any Group 1 but the Group 1 of the carnival basically, I don’t think it will ever get any better than that.’’
Brent Taylor, who watched the race from Dunedin in NZ, added: “That was exhilarating to watch.
“Time will tell but she might be up there with the very best horses that have ever raced, up there with the likes of Tulloch and Kingston Town.
“A mare like her, it’s great for Trelawney and just great for the industry, she’s doing things that have never been seen before, it’s incredible.’’
Pride Of Jenni was part of a magnificent day for Inglis graduates, which also resulted in 3YO filly Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun) and 4YO mare Zougotcha (Zoustar) winning the Grr1 Australian Oaks and Gr1 Queen of the Turf respectively.
Ed – this reminded us of Run Rhino Run’s similar tactics at Hollywoodbets Greyville some 7 years ago. Watch that replay here:
